"Recently we learned of a malicious desecration of a photo of the Governor and baby Trig that has become an iconic representation of a mother's love for a special needs child," Palin spokeswoman Meghan Stapelton said in a statement provided to CNN.

Palin spokeswoman Meghan Stapleton confirms the former Alaska governor's committee did donate $1,000 to each of those Republicans, as well as $2,500 to Virginia gubernatorial hopeful Bob McDonnell, now dealing with fallout from the revelation of a controversial 20-year-old thesis.